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When to Plant Crosne in Wheeler County, OR

Crosne (Chinese artichoke) produces small, segmented white tubers with a crunchy texture and mild artichoke-nutty flavor. They are a rare delicacy in French cuisine.

Wheeler County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 2,175 feet, Wheeler County receives approximately 22.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Crosne to ensure they mature before fall.

Wheeler County, OR (Zone 5b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Wheeler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Oct 17 – Oct 31
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Oct 24 – Nov 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Nov 20 – Dec 4

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 242 gal / 100 sq ft
Crosne needs ~2,144 GDD — county provides 1,506 GDD May not mature

Crosne Planting Timeline โ€” Wheeler County, OR

Crosne Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest October 10 Oct 10 โ€“ Oct 24

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

150โ€“200 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

123 days

Growing Tips for Wheeler County

Plant tubers 3 inches deep in spring. Mark the location well as plants die back. Harvest in late fall after frost. Leave some tubers in ground for next year. Very labor-intensive to harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crosne in Wheeler County, OR?

Wheeler County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Crosne planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wheeler County, OR?

Wheeler County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wheeler County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wheeler County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.